ABSTRACT

This book presents an implementation of psychodynamic self psychology in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, using a theoretical and therapeutic approach to examine the way that patients turn to food consumption or avoidance in order to supply needs they do not believe can be provided by human beings.

The book starts with an overview of self psychology, presenting both the theory of self psychology and its specific application for the etiology and treatment of eating disorders. Featuring contributions from eating disorder professionals, the book then integrates this theory with 16 compelling case studies to explore how the eating-disordered patient is scared to take up space in a society that encourages precisely that.

Professionals in the field of psychotherapy for eating disorders, as well as the entire community of psychotherapists, will benefit from the empirical capability of the theory to predict the development as well as remission from eating disorders.

part I|51 pages

Theory, Application and Empirical Evidence

chapter 1|16 pages

Anorexia and Bulimia

Diagnosis and History of Treatment

chapter 2|22 pages

The Emergence of Self Psychology

Opportunities and Dilemmas in the Treatment of Anorexia and Bulimia

part II|155 pages

Case Studies

chapter 5|9 pages

I Wanted to Disappear

chapter 8|10 pages

"Living My Life"

chapter 9|10 pages

A Journey to the Inner Core

chapter 11|10 pages

Satiable Hunger

chapter 14|9 pages

Absolute Autonomy

chapter 15|9 pages

The Right to Exist

chapter 16|6 pages

Beauty and the Beast

chapter 19|9 pages

"I Don't Want to Make It to 20"